Page 15 of Insanium
“Keep pushing.” Eryx’s voice was a low growl next to my ear, his breath hot against my skin.
“Take that, motherfucker,” Jerome taunted from behind us. There was an audible thud, and then a wet, heavy sound before only heavy breathing and soft cries remained.
With one final shove, the door clanged shut, the lock clicking into place just as another clown’s face slammed against the small window. Its hollow, dark eyes bore into mine, its breath fogging the pane. I flipped it off before turning around.
“We did it,” I breathed out, momentarily pressed close to Eryx, feeling the rise and fall of his solid chest.
His face was inches away, his gaze intense. He stared down at me, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly as he said, “You’re as soft as I imagined,” before abruptly turning to survey the outcome in the corridor.
Soft? Me? I guess at times that could be true, but I was all thorns when it counted. Something about the way he assessed me gave me the impression he knew just what to say to get under my skin. That had me wanting to push his buttons right back. That and the secrets in his eyes that I could see myself unraveling … or just tearing them out. Either way, I was game.
Hael approached, his gaze fixed on me, completely ignoring Eryx as they passed one another. I quickly checked them over to ensure they were all right before my attention shifted back to the aftermath of our scuffle. The clown lay a few feet away, its own blade protruding from its skull.
Nearby, the girl it had attacked lay motionless, a brutal, gaping zigzag cut across her chest. Blood smeared the wall and pooled on the floor.
Liam, who had been a bit distant, came closer, his voice low and strained. “That was too close. We need to be careful, or we’ll end up like her.”
I cleared my throat to withhold a surprised laugh, not expecting those clinical words from him. Hael slid me an amused, knowing look, and I took his hand, threading our fingers together. I had to admit that as much as I didn’t want him or Aisha here, I was glad they were by my side.
Nearby, the friend of the girl, tears streaking her face, gasped between sobs, “Hailey … oh God.”
No one offered any condolences, and not because we were heartless or cold blooded. We all knew this was a possibility. Even Janelle, who was proving to be a wellspring of dramatics, remained conspicuously quiet. It was a bit awkward to stand there in silence. I noticed Darrell clutching his side, a slash visible on his clothing along with a thin line of blood.
“Clown got me,” he grunted when he noticed my eyes on him, pain evident in his voice.
“Maybe we should rest a moment,” Jerome suggested.
“We can’t just stand here,” I replied softly. “We need to keep moving. They could trigger this door to open at any minute.”
Raphael nodded in agreement, his jaw set. “She’s right. Staying put only makes us sitting ducks.”
Eryx, who had been scanning the corridor with a tactical eye, spoke up. “There’s got to be another exit. This hall can’t be a dead end.”
We proceeded down the long hallway, unsure of what lay ahead but prepared for anything that may come our way. Aisha and Hael walked beside me, providing a steady presence and support. Raphael trailed closely behind us, keeping a watchful eye on our group. I even took a moment to wave at a nearby camera; whether it was my family, friends, or my enemies eagerly waiting my downfall, I wanted to make sure they remembered who I was.
Chapter Eight
The heavy door at the end of the hall opened with a soft groan, revealing an opulent lobby that felt like another step back in time.
“Well, isn’t this just charmingly creepy?” I mused out loud.
The space, which they’d aptly named The Grand Nocturne Hotel, had the air of old-world luxury, with its high, arched ceilings and walls lined with more portraits of masked figures that had earned a spot of remembrance. Behind the front desk stood a plastic mannequin, eerie in its stillness, donning an LED mask that flickered with spectral light, giving it the impression of watching us.
On the glossy marble counter lay an assortment of room cards. The large-screen television mounted on the wall behind the desk displayed our names and room numbers. I’d been paired with Hael—not surprising, and more than fine with me.
“Look, Aisha, you got the golden boy. Treat him well; he’s delicate.”
She laughed, throwing a playful look at Raphael. “I’ll make sure he comes back in one piece.”
Raphael grinned, going along with it. “ I’m sure I’m in good hands.”
I glanced at the room numbers again, clocking that Eryx was with Liam, and Jerome with Maya. I noted the others and the names listed as “checked-out.”
“Seems they’ve already written off Tyler and what’s-her-name.”
“Hailey,” her friend rasped, voice cracking.
“Brutal,” Jerome commented.
